Friday, June 29, 2012

Captain's Library & Theatre: JONNY QUEST "Mystery of the Lizard Men" Conclusion

Sent by the government to investigate disappearances in the Sargasso Sea, Dr Benton Quest, his aide/bodyguard "Race" Bannon, and his son, Jonny explore the area.
Race and Jonny discover the reason for the disappearances aboard a derelict ship...enemy spies armed with a powerful laser who plan to destroy America's next rocket launch!
Unfortunately, since the duo know too much, they must be liquidated...
As you watch the actual episode below, you'll note an entire sequence not included in the comic adaptation...

The cool "red" effect when the laser is fired isn't used in the comic adaptation (though it would've been easy to do), indicating that the comic's adaptors used the b/w storyboards without color reference (except for the main characters) or seeing the finished episode.
You'll note there's no Hadji in this episode (though he's in both the opening and closing credits).
The character was added to the series after the pilot was completed, and appears from episode 2, "Calcutta Adventure", onward.
Original script by Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Alex Lovey, and Doug Wildey.
Comic adaptation author is unknown.
Art based on storyboards and renderings by Doug Wildey.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Captain's Library & Theatre: JONNY QUEST "Mystery of the Lizard Men" Part 2

The US government requests Dr Benton Quest investigate weird incidents in the Sargasso Sea involving red lights that the scientist believes might be lasers.
Dr Quest, his son Jonny, and bodyguard "Race" Bannon sail immediately with some specialized equipment, including a gigantic mirror
Continuing the adaptation of the pilot episode of the animated tv series with art derived from the episode's storyboards and concept art.
Now, compare the comic to the segment of the show itself...
And, be here tomorrow for the cataclysmic climax!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Captain's Library & Theatre: JONNY QUEST "Mystery of the Lizard Men" Part 1

The first prime-time animated action-adventure series had a unique comic book tie-in...
...that utilized the storyboards from the pilot episode (inked, colored, and lettered) as the art for it's one (and only) issue!
Now compare the pages you've just read with the first 1/3 of the actual episode (up to the commercial break)...
Be here tomorrow for more animated fun.
Original script by Joseeph Barbera, William Hanna, Alex Lovey, and Doug Wildey.
Comic adaptation author is unknown.
Art based on storyboards and renderings by Doug Wildey.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Captain's Library: DESTINATION MOON

No, you're not confused.

It turns out that Space: 1999's pilot episode "Breakaway" was not the only movie or TV show to have multiple versions in other media (though it still holds the record AFAIK!)...
The George Pal movie Destination Moon has no less than three different versions published in comics!
Here's the second one, from Strange Adventures #1 (1951)!
Adaptation script by Gardner Fox, art by Curt Swan & John Fischetti

The final version, published in Youthful Publications' Captain Science #1 (November 1950) is a short text (with pix) adaptation!
It sounds like this this piece was taken directly out of the presskit.

The full-length Fawcett Comics version (which we ran HERE) also came out in 1950, when the movie was released.
DC Comics' Strange Adventures #1 is cover-dated August/September 1951 and was probably done as the film was being re-released to second-run theatres (A common practice in the pre-VCR/DVD/Internet era).

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Captain's Library: ROCKY JONES: SPACE RANGER "Too Many Meteors"

Use of "mass-drivers" to propel space junk against the enemy is an old sci-fi pulp device...
...but this story adds a novel twist to the theme.
This story from Charlton's Space Adventures #15 (1955) was illustrated by Ted Galindo and Dick Giordano.
The writer is unknown.

Almost all of the Rocky Jones tv episode-compilation movies are available on DVD and two of them Crash of the Moons and Manhunt in Space were roasted on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Rocky Jones will return in the near future...